News for New Kent County and Charles City County, Virginia | March 4, 2026
Local News
Providence Forge man facing up to six months for driving under the influence
A Providence Forge man stipulated to evidence that will convict him of driving under the influence. Brian Robert Satterwhite, 37, of the 2200 block of S. Landing Road, entered the stipulation as part of Monday proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court. In a summary of evidence provided by New Kent Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Renick, on Mar. 15, 2025, a New Kent deputy noticed a vehicle crossing double yellow lines several times in the area of Rockahock and Allen Road. The officer conducted a traffic stop and identified the driver as Satterwhite. The deputy detected a strong odor of alcohol and…
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Preliminary budget numbers for New Kent Schools focus on addressing district’s growth
New Kent County’s School Board received its first look at preliminary figures for the FY2026-27 budget. And while no overall figure has been released, it’s evident that the focus on this year is trying to have staff to accommodate the additional growth of the school system. Director of Finance Haynie Morgheim presented figures based on an Average Daily Membership (ADM) of 3,620 students. New Kent’s Local Composite Index (LCI) is .455, leading to the expectation that the school district will receive $1,736,692 more in state funding. Morgheim is recommending $1.2 million be requested to assist with operations. The one-to-one technology…
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Charles City School Board approves $8.9 million budget for FY2026-27
Charles City’s School Board approved an $8.9 million budget for the FY2026-27 school year. School board members voted 4-0 to approve the budget and send it to county leaders for consideration and adoption at the Feb. 17 meeting. At-large member Royce Paige was not present at the meeting. Otey’s budget proposal is centered around compensating teachers and support services. Among those services include two part-time math interventionists at each school ($74,604), a part-time reading interventionist ($74,604), in-school instructional coaches for teacher support ($161,464), an additional math teacher at each school at ($84,874), and stipends for teachers writing curriculum ($34,448). Otey’s…
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Quinton man receives 19-year sentence for distributing methamphetamine in New Kent
A Quinton man who sold large quantities of methamphetamine from his home will spend the 19 years in prison. Anthony Paul Ali Jr., 30, entered guilty pleas to ne count each to an amended charge of selling a methamphetamine (more than 100 grams but less than 200 grams- originally charged with selling methamphetamine more than 1,000 grams), possession of a firearm while in possession of a Schedule I/II substance, and possession of a firearm by a nonviolent felon as part of a plea agreement reached Monday morning in New Kent Circuit Court. In a summary of evidence provided by New…
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Portsmouth man receives year in jail for assaulting emergency worker in Charles City
A Portsmouth man will spend a year in jail for assaulting a medical emergency officer in Charles City. Derek Tracy Croom, 61, of the 2200 block of Queen Street, entered the plea to one count of assault and battery on an emergency worker as part of a plea agreement reached Friday morning in Charles City Circuit Court. Two additional charges of assault and battery on a law enforcement officer were dropped as part of the deal. In a summary of evidence provided by Charles City Commonwealth’s Attorney Tyler Klink, on June 9, 2024, a Charles City deputy was operating radar…
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Fifteen month sentence imposed on Sandston man who made threats in New Kent
A Sandston man who continued to violate the terms of a protective order will spend 15 months in jail. Robert Steven Maxey, 63, of the 3200 block of Portugee Road, entered guilty pleas to two counts of violating a protective order (third time within 20 years) and two counts of making a threat in writing as part of a plea agreement reached Monday afternoon in New Kent Circuit Court. Two additional charges of violating a protective order and two additional charges of making a threat in writing were dropped as part of a deal. In a summary of evidence provided…
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Richmond man receives three months in jail for driving under the influence in New Kent
A Richmond man will spend three months in jail for driving under the influence for the third time. Charlie Mitchell, 50, of the 2200 block of Mandalay Drive, entered a guilty plea to DUI (third or subsequent offense) as part of a plea agreement reached Monday morning in New Kent Circuit Court. In a summary of evidence provided by New Kent Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Renick, on July 29, 2025, Virginia State Police initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle that was speeding. When the officer approached, they detected a strong odor of alcohol. The driver, identified as Mitchell, admitted to…
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Charles City man receives three years for strangulation; attempted murder charge dropped
A Charles City man will spend three years in jail after pleading guilty to a strangulation charge. Ernest L. Jones, 43, of the 6200 block of Sign Post Lane, pled guilty as part of a plea deal reached during Friday morning proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court. One charge of attempted second degree murder and misdemeanor assault and battery of a family member were dropped as part of the agreement. In a summary of evidence provided by Charles City Commonwealth’s Attorney Tyler Klink, on Sept. 30, 2025, officers responded to a call for service for a domestic assault near the…
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Proposed five-year $253 million CIP for New Kent includes $152 million for next fiscal year
New Kent Supervisors received a look at a five-year capital improvement plan (CIP) during the Jan. 28 work session. And one thing is for certain; New Kent has big goals and plans to spend lots of money. New Kent County Administrator Rodney Hathaway presented the five-year recommendation of $253,825,548 during the meeting. Of that amount, more than half ($152,790,754) is planned to be used in the next fiscal year. The five-year proposal presented by Hathaway comes as a recommendation from the county’s planning commission. The $253 million in expenditures will cover several areas, with the $152 million planned for next…
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Ten-percent staff raise part of Charles City’s Superintendent of Schools $8.9 million budget proposal
Citing nearby county salaries and Charles City’s proximity squeezed between them, Charles City Superintendent of Schools Katina Otey sent a strong message with her first budget presentation to school board members. Otey proposed a 10-percent staff salary increase as part of an $8,923,281 budget presentation for FY2026-27 during Tuesday night’s Charles City School Board meeting. By comparison, county schools are operating on a budget of $7,201,636 for the current year. “Teachers come to Charles City, and we are thankful for them,” Otey said. “They choose to be here when they can go elsewhere.” The superintendent referenced how nearby counties offer…
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